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Dundee United recovered from Kevin van Veen’s first half strike to take all three points in a 2-1 victory over Motherwell. 

Van Veen netted his 23rd goal of the season before Ilmari Niskanen and a Jamie McGrath penalty capped off a second-half comeback.

Dundee United controlled most of the ball in the early stages but it would be the Steelmen who would land the first blow.

Mikael Mandron flicked on Liam Kelly’s long ball forward for Van Veen, who drove forward into space before playing wide for young prodigy Max Johnston. The full-back cut the ball back for the Dutchman who finished at the second time of asking on 23 minutes.

At the start of the second half, Van Veen was inches from making it 2-0 but the linesman flag was raised, before the offside decision was confirmed by a lengthy VAR check.

Dundee United levelled shortly after. Sean Goss wasn’t able to clear his lines, Ian Harkes nicked in to win the ball and play back to Niskanen who finished into the bottom left corner.

It would be 2-1 for the visitors when McGrath converted from the spot nine minutes later after Kelly was adjudged to have fouled Steven Fletcher in the area.

The former Scottish international went down again in the box in stoppage time however this time, Nick Walsh booked the number nine for simulation this time round.

Paul Brownlie has been Motherwell’s head of womens for two years now, and in that time, there has been a number of changes on the pitch and off it. 

A middle table finish in his first season in charge, Motherwell narrowly missed out on a top-six place by one point. However, they have reached the semi final of the Scottish Cup, where they will face Rangers at the national stadium, making history in the process.

The women of steel also face Glasgow Women at Fir Park in the lead up to their crunch cup tie with the ‘Gers.

Building and growing the profile of the team has been a priority for Brownlie and his assistant Leanne Crichton, however in the process of doing so, they have managed to improve players and the recruitment strategy at the club, while launching our first girls academy.

Looking for three wins on the bounce, for the first time since 2021, Motherwell were high on confidence with Dundee United coming to town. 

Kevin van Veen got Motherwell ahead, and with a tight offside call and the Dundee United keeper pulling off a wonderful save, Dundee United worked their back into the game and got themselves a much needed three points.

Despite it going down as a defeat, Kettlewell doesn’t want the result to derail what he has started with the season revival at Fir Park.

Dean Cornelius has seen it all this season. With Motherwell struggling to find form before Stuart Kettlewell’s arrival, the young midfielder thinks that it is incredible to even think that the Steelmen could secure a top six spot. 

Also out of contract in the summer, Cornelius is insistent that he is focused on his football and staying in a competitive team, rather than his future for next season.

Motherwell are in midweek action at Fir Park on Tuesday 18 April as they take on Glasgow Women in SWPL. 

Kick-off is 7:45pm.

How to follow the game

There will be free to entry to the stadium for the match. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations.

All profits will go towards the girls academy.

Fans will be located in the John Hunter stand for the match.

Story of the match

Motherwell left it late to grab a point against Spartans on Sunday. Carla Boyce and Kayla Jardine got on the scoresheet as the women of steel made it six games unbeaten.

Glasgow Women come into the match still looking for their first points of the campaign.

Motherwell have won all three matches against Glasgow Women, playing them twice in the league.

The last meeting came in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, with the ‘Well winning 4-0.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell says it is remarkable that Motherwell have the outside chance of securing a top six place, considering where they were at when he became manager.

The Motherwell boss discusses player contract negotiations that are ongoing in the background, alongside how Dundee United will present themselves with a difficult challenge for the ‘Well as they are fighting for their lives.

The points were shared in the capital, as Motherwell converted late on to secure an important point at Ainslie Park on Sunday.

Second half substitute, Kayla Jardine fired Motherwell into the ascendency with an impressive strike from distance before a quick fire resurgence saw the hosts cruise to a narrow 2-1 advantage.

In the final stages, Carla Boyce prodded home a late corner kick to secure a valuable point ahead of a monumental week for the team.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that were held to a draw with Dundee United last week. Kodie Hay and Katie Rice both returned to the starting XI, with Georgie Rafferty and Niamh Noble settling for a place on the bench.

Motherwell certainly had the better of the opportunities in the early exchanges. A clever exchange between Lucy Ronald and Tiree Burchill allowed Kodie Hay to race through on the right before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, but Gill Inglis’ attempt failed to trouble the Spartans keeper.

Boyce soon came close to breaking the deadlock after latching onto Lauren Doran-Barr’s through ball, but the strikers curling effort flashed across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding the far post.

The first half was forced into an early stoppage after Ronald suffered a serious injury that required a lengthy break in play whilst the midfielder received medical treatment.

As the second half resumed, Motherwell deservedly found the breakthrough.

Spartans failed to clear their lines, and substitute Kayla Jardine coasted through to the edge of the box, lifting an audacious effort over the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.

The women of Steel’s lead would be short-lived, as Caley Gibb pulled the hosts level moments later.

A composed Rebecca Galbraith finish from Katherine Smart’s through ball soon followed in what looked like a decisive moment in the game.

However, in the final few minutes, Rice’s floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Boyce who bulleted her header high into the roof of the net to secure a vital point in Edinburgh.

Paul Brownlie’s side will now prepare for a historic week in the clubs history, as they face Glasgow Women at Fir Park on Tuesday night before a memorable trip to Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

With the international break over, Motherwell return to SWPL action with a trip to Spartans. 

Kick-off is 1pm at Ainslie Park.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the game can be bought online.

Adult tickets cost £7, with concessions going for £4.

Under 16s are free.

Cash or card are accepted on the gate.

Story of the match

Motherwell are currently two points ahead of Spartans in the league table.

Spartans are on a two match winning run, beating Aberdeen and Dundee United on the road.

In their fixture prior to the break, Motherwell earned a point against Dundee United with a 1-1 draw at K-Park.

The draw ended a run of four wins on the bounce for the women of steel.

Both matches between the two sides have ended in draws, with the last game at Ainslie Park ending in a 0-0 draw.

“We shot ourselves in the foot.

“For me, we now need to make sure this doesn’t derail what we’re trying to do here.”

Our final home game before the split is against Dundee United on Saturday 15 April.

Kick-off is 3pm.

Tickets

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am until kick-off with no pay gate facility

Away supporters can purchase tickets in the Tommy McLean stand from 2pm from the ticket booth up until kick-off (cash and card available)

Ticket office opening times
Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9-4pm, matchday 11am – kick-off.

Hospitality

There are still hospitality places available for this match in the Centenary Suite.  Watch the game in style with prices starting from just £39pp.

Call 01698 338008 or book online.

Cooper Bar
We’re open from 12 noon on the first floor of our Cooper stand. Fans and children of both clubs are welcome to join us for food and drink.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

Another week, another big game.

Dundee United halted a run of eleven without a win, by defeating Hibs at Tannadice at the weekend. Despite that run of form, United are only three points from safety.

Motherwell continued their fine form with a 3-0 win over Livingston on Saturday. Stuart Kettlewell’s men will be aiming to make it three wins in a row for the first time since August 2021, but it’s another tricky test against a team who are also fighting for safety.

The Steelmen are undefeated against United so far this season, with a 0-0 draw previously at Fir Park.

Match Officials

• Referee: Nick Walsh
• AR1: Alastair Mather
• AR2: Chris Rae
• Fourth Official: Chris Fordyce
• VAR: Colin Steven
• AVAR: Graham Chambers